The name Frank Turner is now a recognisable brand name. Formally,
a musician loved a lot but by a few, has earned wide-ranging recognition. In
2012 alone, he became known as a friend of Billy Bragg, for headlining Wembley
Arena, and perhaps most significantly, for playing at the Olympic Opening
Ceremony. Where do you go from there, now 2013 has well and truly begun? How do
you beat that? Creating an album to mark the next significant step in your
career, seems the most logical way forward, but can Tape Deck Heart stand up to
the high standards Turner has already set himself? These previous achievements
have ensured that more people than ever have been glued to his career, watching
and waiting to hear what will happen next.
Encouraging and attracting a fan-base who are, more often than not, truthful and outspoken, means that opinions of the album are unlikely to be sugar-coated. Notably, a philosophy that has been interwoven into Frank’s lyrics consistently. Writing a review for this album, about an artist whose music I greatly admire, and ensuring I’m being consistently honest, has proved to be a difficult task. Yet somehow, it seems the only thing to do.
Encouraging and attracting a fan-base who are, more often than not, truthful and outspoken, means that opinions of the album are unlikely to be sugar-coated. Notably, a philosophy that has been interwoven into Frank’s lyrics consistently. Writing a review for this album, about an artist whose music I greatly admire, and ensuring I’m being consistently honest, has proved to be a difficult task. Yet somehow, it seems the only thing to do.
The album begins with Recovery – catchy, poppy, appealing to
the masses and a far cry from folk music. A song that immediately establishes
the thoughtful, candid theme of the record. It expresses a need for personal
self-improvement, and the effect encountering problems in your life can have. Something
that has been consistent throughout Turner’s career, which has not been left
out of this record, is his ability to create songs that connect with the
listener. Losing Days discusses the feeling of days disappearing, and time
flying away from you. It’s a subject few would think to form a song around - this
ability to discuss the rarely discussed is what makes his music particularly memorable.
Four Simple Words is a welcome break amongst the hard-hitting, heartbreaking lyrical content of this record. Positive, upbeat and fun, it stands out hugely. It follows Tell Tale Signs, a song so remarkably personal I feel significantly uncomfortable listening to it. This album is somewhat of an emotional roller coaster, which manipulates emotions in a remarkable way.
Tape Deck Heart takes a completely different direction, both
in themes and music, to previous albums. Lyrically, it connects with the
listener on a rawer, far more personal level, with songs based on relationships,
loss and love. These are not subjects rare to find in song writing, but not
something Frank is normally known to visit in such depth. Moving a gigantic
leap away from folk-rock songs about England and travelling, and noticeably
produced and promoted on a much larger scale, makes the album feel like
uncharted territory for Frank Turner. The Sleeping Souls, the band which give
substance and musicality to the albums and live performances, seem to have
played a much greater role in this record. The music includes a greater
variation in instruments, such as the mandolin, and songs like Broken Piano
demonstrate a far more obscure style. Somehow though, I’m left missing the
traditional band format, and punchy upbeat style of the previous albums. In
some ways driven folk-songs and story-telling is perhaps an unusual angle from
which to write, which overall, makes for a good selling point. However, all
good musicians may have to have the ability, and perhaps the necessity, to
change.
Recording in LA with well-respected producer Rich Costey,
has clearly had an impact on this record. It has been produced to within an
inch of its life – gone are the gritty voice cracks and imperfections, replaced
instead with clear, polished, technically perfect ones. The Sleeping Souls also appear to have been
manipulated quite significantly, as though there has been an attempt to make
them as clear and perfect as literally possible. However, they were already an
incredibly tight band, that true to name, had soul. It seems to me that they
have been over –produced and perfected.
Normally, Frank albums have a healthy balance between
thoughtful songs and positive, hopeful ones. Tape Deck Heart doesn’t. It manages
to project these sad and meaningful thoughts onto the listener. Probably
demonstrative of a good song, but in all
honesty it is fairly draining listen, and not something it would be wise to
listen to in a less than upbeat mood. It’s
an utterly personal record, the lyrics at times cringe-worthy to hear. Pushing
far beyond the boundaries set in his previous albums, Tape Deck Heart is a raw,
biting record. At times, it feels as though you’ve accidentally read the diary of
a stranger – that you’ve heard something not intended for public consumption.
It’s a technically accomplished album, with deep and
thought-provoking lyrics. It visits musical styles not before heard in previous albums, yet it seems to lack the folk-rock charm Frank Turner and The Sleeping
Souls are famous for. It may not be the best record you hear this year, and it
may not be the best record Frank has ever written, but it is a huge step away
from his ordinary style, and courageously honest, and for that alone, it
deserves significant recognition.
